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Gospel Reading for August 01, 2026 – Matthew 14: 1-12
VALUE
Herod the tetrarch heard of the reputation of Jesus and said to his servants, “This man is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead; that is why mighty powers are at work in him.”
Now Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, for John had said to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her. Although he wanted to kill him, he feared the people, for they regarded him as a prophet. But at a birthday celebration for Herod, the daughter of Herodias performed a dance before the guests and delighted Herod so much that he swore to give her whatever she might ask for. Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests who were present, he ordered that it be given, and he had John beheaded in the prison. His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who took it to her mother. His disciples came and took away the corpse and buried him; and they went and told Jesus.
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Herod was haunted by what he had done to John the Baptist. When he heard about the mighty works of Jesus, he thought it was John who had risen from the dead. This reveals that Herod recognized John’s greatness. Yet, in contrast, he also revealed his own weakness when he could not take back his promise to the daughter of Herodias because of the guests who were present at the banquet. He condemned a great man to a senseless death, perhaps because his own life lacked true purpose.
The same can be said of Herodias. As for the girl, she was too young to understand the evil intentions of her mother. Wanting only to please her, she became an instrument of her mother’s vengeance. Herodias took advantage of her own daughter to accomplish a wicked desire. We remember what Jesus said in Matthew 18: 6: “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.”
The VALUE we give to every human life reflects the VALUE we give to our own lives.
Lord Jesus, may we never be the reason why our children stray from you. Instead, may we always lead them closer to you by our words and example. Amen. S
